Booing by Indian fans fired us up: Collingwood

The England skipper says his men were fired up to win the Super 8 match after they were booed by Indian fans during and prior to the game.

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PTI

London

June 15, 2009

UPDATED: June 15, 2009 14:04 IST

England captain Paul Collingwood and his men were fired up to win their crucial Twenty20 World Cup Super Eight match at Lord's after they were booed by Indian fans during and prior to the game.

"A lot of English supporters were there (to watch the game) but we got booed at the home of cricket by the Indian fans. It felt bit strange to be dealt so on our own home ground at the home of cricket. So that gave us a bit of motivation," Collingwood said after his side's three-run win.

"We were also booed during nets while coming off nursery and it hurt a few people (in the team). Our performance showed how much we wanted to do it," he added.

Collingwood could not hide the glee that their plan to pepper Indian batsmen with short-pitched stuff actually paid off.

"We were conscious (of Indians' vulnerability to short-pitched ball). We know our plans against India at best of times. To bowl short balls in Indian conditions is very hard to do. We had an opportunity to do it here and we gave it our best and tried to get it up there.

"We have excellent seamers. We have guys who can bowl 90 miles an hour and that's a great weapon to target teams with. Our seamers are versatile, have the skills to do it and could hold their nerves even against best hitters like Yusuf Pathan and Dhoni," he said.

Collingwood said he was sure of a victory at the end of 17th over as India required 39 from the final three overs. "I had an over each from Anderson, Broad and Sidebottom left. I was confident because they are steady under that kind of pressure," said the England skipper.

He admitted the stumping of Yuvraj Singh by wicketkeeper James Foster played a big part in the game turning towards his side's favour.

"The excellent catches in the deep, the brilliant stumping by James Foster off Yuvraj played a vital role," he said.